HAMMOND, La. – Southeastern Louisiana University Volleyball Head Coach Lee McBride announced the addition of SLU volleyball graduate Lexi Gonzalez as Assistant Coach ahead of the 2026 season.
 
The hiring of Gonzalez is pending approval from the University of Louisiana System's Board of Supervisors.
 
"We are very excited to have Lexi continue with our program as an Assistant Coach!" McBride said of Gonzalez. "Lexi's experience as a player who has been a part of our highly successful program over the last 5 years brings a tremendous amount of value! Her passion for the game, and love for Southeastern Louisiana University, will be a tremendous asset as she continues to make her mark in the southeastern Louisiana volleyball world."
 
The Baton Rouge, La., native returns to the Lions after graduating from SLU in May 2026. After five years with Southeastern as a student-athlete, Gonzalez joins second-year SLU Head Coach McBride's staff as an assistant coach.
 
On the court, Gonzalez served as the team's primary libero during the 2024 and 2025 seasons, taking over the starting role after coming off the bench as a freshman and sophomore. In her junior and senior seasons, Gonzalez led the team in digs and digs per set.
 
The Lions achieved historic success during Gonzalez's playing career, winning Southland Conference Championships in three consecutive seasons from 2022 to 2024. She was part of the 2022 Lions who went on to qualify for the program's first-ever appearance at the NCAA National Championship Tournament. Gonzalez also competed in the 2023 National Tournament when SLU qualified in back-to-back seasons.
 
The SLU graduate also succeeded off the court, earning a spot on the Southland Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll four times during her collegiate career. After wrapping up her final volleyball season, Gonzalez served as a Marketing Intern with the Sun Belt Conference until she earned her Sport Management degree at SLU in May.
 
Gonzalez played in 88 matches for SLU over the course of her playing career. The libero totaled 712 digs over her final two seasons at Southeastern. Her 3.85 digs per set in 2025 was the seventh-best mark among all SLC student-athletes. Gonzalez also led Southeastern in reception percentage (.960) in 2025. She posted 14 service aces during her senior season, giving her a total of 54 for her SLU career.
 
Gonzalez and the Lions will start exhibition play in the University Center Thursday, Aug. 13, hosting Xavier (La.). The game against the Gold Nuggets will feature a Home Opener promotion. Fans are welcome to wear their green and gold in the Lions' first game in the University Center in 2026. The regular season is set to begin when SLU takes on Ole Miss, Friday, Aug. 28, in Oxford, Miss.
 
DIGGIN' IT CLUB / S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the Southeastern volleyball program are encouraged to join the Diggin' It Club. Lion volleyball alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners.
 
All membership fees and donations to both the Diggin' It Club and S Club (volleyball) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern volleyball program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Lady Lions Volleyball, follow @LionUpVB on X and Instagram or like /SLUathletics on Facebook.